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Attending the Third Annual Atlantic Food Summit

Last Thursday, May 24th, I flew to Washington DC with a small group of MSLO employees, to take part in The Third Annual Atlantic Food Summit. Atlantic magazine calls together the world’s leading authorities on the multitude of issues related to food. I was asked to attend and be interviewed because Atlantic recognizes me as a pioneering businesswoman and entrepreneur, who has empowered women and helped improve the way people eat and awareness of the environment in which they live. My friend, Corby Kummer, Atlantic Senior Editor and James Beard award-winning food writer hosted the summit. Jocelyn Zuckerman, Executive Editor of Whole Living, was also invited as a panelist, discussing the world’s serious food issues. To read Corby Kummer’s post about my interview, click here.

3 The third Atlantic Food Summit was held at The W Hotel in Washington DC and it offered many amazing views.

4 Directly across the street from the W Hotel, at 1500 15th Street, is the United States Department of Treasury Building, the third oldest building in Washington, dating from 1836. This T-shaped Greek Revival building was erected after two previous structures had burned down.

5 The Department of Treasury, of course, manages the revenue of the US government. A statue of Alexander Hamilton, who was sworn in as the first Secretary of the Treasury on September 11, 1789, stands before the south wing.

6 In the opposite direction is the most prominent structure in Washington, the Washington Monument, the 555' 5-1/8" obelisk completed in 1884. The monument was damaged during the Virginia earthquake of August 23, 2011 and it remains closed to the public indefinitely while repairs are made.

9 As the nation works to promote more sustainable food production, enhance government oversight over the food industry, and control the obesity epidemic, The Atlantic gathers food policy luminaries, notable chefs, and public health officials to shed light on these important themes.

10 One basic theme of the summit was to eat better by consuming more vegetables and less sugar, eat local and organic when possible, and enjoy food by sharing meals with family and friends.

11 Daisy and Sarah waiting in the lounge for the conference to begin

12 Posing with Corby Kummer, a journalist who mostly writes about food, whom I have known for many, many years. Corby is a senior editor at The Atlantic magazine, where he writes a monthly food column.

13 Corby and I talked about sustainability and growing your own food. I explained that this is what I learned growing up in Nutley, New Jersey, when my father would start his vegetables from seed and eventually plant the outside in his large and prolific garden, where I would always help.

14 Corby asked me what I thought about the barriers to women entrepreneurs that I myself had faced, and what it would take to lower some of them for women who try to follow my example.

15 I told Corby that when I started my company, someone told me that I broke through the glass ceiling. Well, I didn't even know what a glass ceiling was at that time.

16 But now I'm well-aware of what that glass ceiling is all about and it's a very serious issue.

17 We don't have enough women who raise families in high positions in responsible companies. I think it would help a lot, especially in food production.

18 Many people in the audience were Tweeting what I had to say for all the world to read.

19 Mothers who are trying to raise healthy children for the future may be more sensitive than their male counterpart to health and well-being.

20 After my interview with Corby Kummer, there was a fascinating panel discussion called 'Feeding a World of Nine Billion - Sustainably,' moderated by Steve Clemons - Washington Editor-at-large, The Atlantic.

22 Jocelyn said that if women in Africa had the same access to seeds, credit, and land ownership as men, they would increase yields by up to 30%. Also that we grow far too much corn and soy, which finds its way into high-fructose corn syrup, contributing to diabetes and obesity.

23 She also said that hunger is a national security issue, referencing the Arab Spring and the fact that poor people spend as much as 80% of their incomes on food. When the price of wheat or corn goes up, they often cannot afford to feed their families. Hungry people are angry people, with hunger often leading to social unrest.